WHOLE LIVING

WHOLE LIVING GETTING bACK to

bASICS HOW TO WASTE LESS

“Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without.” Sound familiar? It’s an old saying reflective of a time when people lived much slower, simpler lives.

But living a slower, simpler way of life is not only back in style, it is a life practice that is seemingly here to stay.

So what is sustainability, really? Practicing sustainability in our own homes is making our day-to-day actions reflect choices which value people, the planet and prosperity. Before you get too overwhelmed, though, recognize there isn’t one right way to do this, nor is every choice involving sustainability a practical method for you and your family. But, with the right attitude and a little elbow grease, the following simple suggestions show several ways we can help our families and this land we love:

Check out these simple steps to live a more sustainable and less wasteful life.

1. Composting:

Have some leftover lettuce, egg shells, coffee grounds? What about last Sunday’s newspaper or that pile of leaves building up on the lawn? Compost it! Composting allows a household to generate less waste by using biodegradable materials to form a healthy pesticide- and herbicide-free fertilizer that improves plant growth and quality while restoring nutrients to the soil. For an easy tutorial on how to get started, visit howtocompost.org.

2. Using Reusable Bags:

Do we really have to spell this one out for you? Without question, there are countless reasons we should use reusable bags when shopping. For one, plastic bags pose a devastating threat to the ocean and its inhabitants. Plastic bags do not decompose (at least for an estimated 1,000 years), not to mention the non-renewable energy resources used to make them. And, believe it or not, paper bags aren’t much better. The number of trees used to make paper bags is slightly disturbing and, let’s face it, we Southerners love our trees and our Gulf.

BY JENNY ENSLEN STUBBS

3. Rain Barrels:

By having rain barrels, collecting and storing rain water that would otherwise be lost to runoff or diverted to storm drains becomes much easier. These contraptions are merely composed of a 55-gallon drum, a vinyl hose, PVC pipe, a simple screen to keep critters out and a few other items. In fact, constructing your own rain barrel is surprisingly easy to do. You never know when a drought will occur, and having ready-made water storage that is ideal for gardens, flower pots and cleaning can help save on your water and energy bill, not to mention helping the environment!

5. Eat Smart:

If you eat meat, try to eat less of it by adding one meatless meal a week. Not only is meat expensive, eating it too often can be unhealthy. In fact, according to Door to Door Organics, a grocery delivery program, Americans eat 50 percent more meat each day than the recommended daily amount. Also, try to buy locally raised and/or organic meat, eggs and dairy to help keep money in the local economy. In fact, just try to buy local whenever possible.

5. Making Cleaning Supplies:

Making your own cleaning supplies not only saves money, time and other resources, it makes the air you breathe healthier. With a few simple ingredients like baking soda, vinegar, lemon and soap, making your own cleaners can be very effective.

GET SCRUBBIN’

Find more great “recipes” for making your own natural cleaners in the summer 2020 issue of JOY, online at joymagazine.org.